Method for combustion of petroleum and solid wastes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the combustion of semi-solid and liquid petroleum wastes are disclosed. The petroleum wastes such as crankcase oil are mixed with particulate combustible solids such as wood chips and shavings in a ratio in the range of, by volume, 30:70 to 75:25; preferably a ratio in the range of 30:70 to 40:60 during the start-up and in the range of 60:40 to 75:25 during normal operation.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A method for controllably combusting liquid petroleum wastes which comprises mixing particulate combustible solids with said liquid petroleum wastes in a ratio within the range of about 30:70 to 75:25 by volume liquid petroleum wastes to particulate combustible solids and feeding said mixture of liquid petroleum wastes and particulate solids at a controlled rate to a combustion chamber for combustion therein. 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ratio is in the range of, by volume, 30:70 to 40:60 liquid petroleum wastes to particulate combustible solids during start-up. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ratio is in the range of, by volume, 60:40 to 75:25 liquid petroleum wastes to particulate combustible solids during normal operation. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid petroleum wastes are selected from the group consisting of crankcase oil, oil-water sludge and oil-water emulsions. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said particulate combustible solids are selected from the group consisting of wood chips, wood shavings, wood sawdust, straw, and particulate paper and cardboard. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particulate solids are saturated by the liquid petroleum wastes. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particulate solids are mixed with said liquid petroleum wastes in a tank and the particulate solids are withdrawn from said tank by a mixer conveyor for feed to the combustion chamber, said conveyor having drainage means for permitting excess liquid petroleum wastes to drain from the conveyor for re-cycle to the tank. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said particulate solids are fed by a conveyor to the combustion chamber and the liquid petroleum wastes are added to the particulate solids as the solids are fed to the combustion chamber, said conveyor having means for draining excess petroleum waste therefrom. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the conveyor is inclined at an angle of about 10° to the horizontal to permit excess petroleum waste to drain therefrom.